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Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, left, shakes hands with Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, right, during an NFL football news conference at the team's headquarters, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, in Englewood, Colo., where Elway was named the team's executive vice president of football operations. (AP Photo/ Ed Andrieski)

If you missed the hour-plus-long press conference newly appointed Denver Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway delivered to a throng of media and reporters Wednesday afternoon, you missed a real doozie. And a franchise-changing event.

The curtains are coming down at Dove Valley. Transparency is clearly the new modus operandi.

“I know what I don’t know,” Elway said. “And I’m going to hire to what I don’t know.”

Here are the quick hits:

Broncos interested in Jim Harbaugh: John Elway didn’t hesitate to confirm the Broncos’ interest in the Stanford coach. Elway said he exchanged a few words with Harbaugh at the Orange Bowl Tuesday night, telling Harbaugh that “if he decided to make the jump to the NFL, the Denver Broncos would be interested.” Harbaugh seems “jumpy”; he is reportedly interviewing with the San Francisco 49ers today.

Perry Fewell a confirmed candidate. The Broncos will interview the New York Giants defensive coordinator Sunday, Elway said.

Xanders remains, Elway the Top Dog: The Broncos will no longer be a “one man show,” as Elway put it. Brian Xanders will be retained as GM, but while Elway hopes Xanders and the head coach will find a consensus in any personnel decisions, he recognizes that it’ll be up to him to give the final say at times. “If there’s a difference between Xanders and the head coach, it’s my job to break that tie,” Elway said.

On Quarterbacks: Elway said he couldn’t imagine a coach that didn’t want Tim Tebow as a player, but made it clear it’ll be up to the head coach as to who starts next year following a thorough evaluation process. “Tim Tebow is a darn good football player,” Elway said. “What we’ve got to make him is a darn good quarterback.” Elway also sang the praises of Kyle Orton, but you could tell he was glowing on another level when he talked about Tebow.

On the Defense: The Broncos are “set up” for the 3-4, Elway said, and indicated that “hopefully” the new coach will lean that way. Champ Bailey‘s contract situation will continue to be evaluated, with Elway speaking highly of the cornerback.

Elway’s energy and exuberance really stole the show. No. 7 is back with the Broncos, orchestrating another comeback. Like Elway, we’re “thrilled to death.”

TheTroglodyte

Is there a replay of this anywhere?

Cctaylor33

Hey Trog! The Denver Broncos page on facebook posted the link. I know that for sure.

http://broncotalk.net Kyle

They were live streaming it, they usually post a video later that day too.

Scratch Wade Phillips from consideration as the Broncos' DC. Kubiak at Houston just signed him.

areferee

Are we lagging behind? Are we the tortoise or the hare?

Considering the length of time it took to “officially” bring John Elway on board, have we taken too long in waiting to get him up to speed?

There are an extraordinary number of vacancies in the NFL at all the key positions, and there will likely be more as teams drop out of the playoffs. Considering the competitive nature of the league, any delay could cost us the top candidates.

I am hoping there has been negotiations ongoing in the background for some time, but at least publicly, we seem to be a little behind. Only two names other than Studesville have been announced as set to interview.

OK John, let's get going. We anxiously await the transparency and candor that you have promised. And the action.

crazykid

I dont know if you listen to “The Fan” on the radio, but listening to what they said, I believe Rick Dennison would be an acceptable choice as HC

TheTroglodyte

Teams have to officially sign off on permission before it can be “officially” announced. Any team scheduled to play this week isn't going to give permission.

areferee

Yeah. Not really referring to NFL coaches, other than those whose season is over.

Jj

John Elway is on twitter

TheTroglodyte

Who in the world would you be thinking of than other than maybe Ron Rivera?

At this point I'd bet money on Mularkey getting it with Studesville being names the asst HC / RB coach.

If you didn't see it, here is an amazing article on Mularkey that has me pretty high on him.

I like his attitude, his heart and his will to win but he'll have to work on his footwork and throwing motion if he's going to make it in the NFL

5280

yo trogodyte, i love that article u posted. im way more optimistic about mike mularky coming to denver now. sounds like the man can run an offence and further more he could make a difference in the mentoring of Tim Tebow. Maybe the facts in this article are what Elway is evaluating. i gotta believe that Elway knows Mularkey that well.

I for one believe that the sky is the limit now that Elway is once again apart of this organization in a big way. In my opinion we have been saved. I know that time will tell and he hasn't done anything yet, but by the way he speaks and how open he is about the moves hes making, it sure looks like The Elway Effect is going to have an impact. a HUGE one.

flbronc

heard an interesting radio exchange this morning on our local sports talk station (orlando area). they were talking in regards to harbaugh and the miami job. the guy speculated that harbaugh could get the job in sf, den and mia right now if he wanted one. he proposed that if the money was equal, and the existing player talent was equivelant which job would you take if you were him. without skipping a beat, the other guy said 'not denver', which suprised me as well as the co-host. his main rationale, which i had not thought of was: john elway. he said it would be tough for a new coach to come in and have elway looking over his shoulder. he said he thinks there will be two many egos looking for credit, offering 'advice', and that it will be hard to put a' stamp' on the team. he just thought the new vp, new gm and new head coach would all be vying for the approval of the owner and that it wouldnt foster a great working environment.

not saying that i believe it, or think it will be the case. just a total outsiders take on our hc opening.

TheTroglodyte

My understanding is that SF is his first choice because he already lives there and wants to stay there. The only hesitation right now is he isn't sold on their front office and he wants 6.5 mil a year and they offered him 4.5 million in the initial round of negotiation. The interview with Miami was done to push SF into raising their price a little faster.

Dakota Fan

I can understand a coach not wanting so many people looking over their shoulder, but I think the new HC had better get used to not being the top of the heap. McD was given the keys to the kingdom (ultimate authority) and set this franchise back AT LEAST three years. Gruden or Cowher would never step into this situation. I think the new HC needs to coach the team, do only what Elway, Ellis and X wants him to do and EARN his amount of input on player personnel decisions. Too many head coaches are given authority to make the personnel decisions. They need to earn the right to make those decisions.

The Mascot Army

Reading Elway's comments about Tebow had me a little worried, but after watching them (while at work) has me seeing Elway leaning towards being a believer. Good.

Gkelley

Marty Schottenheimer!!!!!! Hes a great coach that could never beat John. Well maybe he should join John.

Rocksapper

i really dont like the things that i am reading in the news these days about my beloved Broncs.

i read an article that they are very likely to trade Tebow and i am afraid that could be the last straw for me. that is a good kid and he has played VERY well with great upside. i am really tired of the crappy decisions that have plagued this team and this would be just another one.

curious – why is nobody talking about Studesville as the HC. does he not stand a chance? i like what he did. like the Fox idea as coach too.

Rocksapper

i really dont like the things that i am reading in the news these days about my beloved Broncs.

i read an article that they are very likely to trade Tebow and i am afraid that could be the last straw for me. that is a good kid and he has played VERY well with great upside. i am really tired of the crappy decisions that have plagued this team and this would be just another one.

curious – why is nobody talking about Studesville as the HC. does he not stand a chance? i like what he did. like the Fox idea as coach too.